ex-commish

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Posts posted by ex-commish

  1. Posted

    Andy Speedy recov. want to see you on the Fireground soon. Best of Luck to You.

    just a note to say thanks to all for the well wishes. i am home now and am looking forward to getting back into action. i now have a new metal plate in my foot so i guess i will setting off metal detectors. happy new year to all

    andy

  2. Posted

    I am in the process of re-writing my department's SOP's. If anyone can forward me a copy wether it be to my e-mail address or place where I can pick them up it would be greatly appreciated. If you can e-mail them to Amanc2196@aol.com. Thank you and Happy Holidays :angry:

    Andy Mancusi

    Asst. Chief

    Hawthorne FD

  3. Posted

    well lets see als we have now told them that it will end April 1 2006 how many intermediate class do you thing we will have to schedule to meet the demand?? pick a number ?? my guess hmmmm talk to you later

    ALS and Firecapt.... I believe I am still certified to do intermediate. Maybe we can put something together.

    Andy

  4. Posted

    ok, change it to...sigh just what mt pleasant needs...another ladder. Period. make it a tower, a stick...no difference, still a waste of taxpayers $$$.

    Chu Chu, I am quite familiar with the Town. I used to live, and to work there. In lieu of getting into a giant #@$% measuring contest, I will wish you happy holidays!!! If you want to know more about me, fire off a PM. I'll be happy to talk until I am blue in the face about what I think could be done differently in the fire service. Ask anyone on here about my opinions, cause I got 'em. :D

    Stat, I am open to your opinions and sugestions. Happy Holidays

    Andy Mancusi

    Asst. Chief

    Hawthorne FD

  5. Posted

    Ah yes, just what the town of Mt. Pleasant needs...another new Tower Ladder. :)

    Stat, with all due respects.....I never stated we were looking for a towerladder. If you read what I wrote I said "we are in the process of looking for a new ladder truck".

    Just for your information...as a chief officer and committee member for this new truck, I am totally in favor in fact I am pushing for a straignt stick as I do agree with you that there are plenty of towerladders in my town. What we end up remains to be seen. Happy Holidays and stay safe. :)

    Andy Mancusi

    Asst. Chief

    Hawthorne FD

  6. Posted

    can any one out there tell me what hawthorne fire department runs as far as trucks, antiques, and chiefs cars. I know they have a pierce tower ladder, but thats all i know. so, if any one can help me out all info would be greatly appreiciated. thanx, steve

    One 1991 Pierce Engine

    One 1997 Pierce Rescue Pumper

    One 1983 ( soon to be replaced) Pierce TowerLadder

    Two Ambulances. Both Hortons, one 1997 and one 2004

    One 1982 Mini Attack ( soon to go)

    One 198??? van ( soon to go)

    One 1995 Suburban

    Three chief's cars...two Tahoes and one Expedetion

    No antiques ( a few with two legs.... B) )

    We are in the process of looking for a new ladder truck and a small rescue/ special ops vehicle to replace the mini attack and the van

    Happy Holidays all :)

    Andy Mancusi

    Asst. Chief

    Hawthorne FD

  7. Posted

    "What departments have equipment or a deal worked out with a local gym for physical fitness?"

    We ( Hawthorne FD) have a weight room with a complete set of dumbells ( not the two legged ones :) ), a universal set, bike, stepper, and treadmill.

    "Who should be responsible for paying for this the companies or the department?"

    I believe the AHD should be responsible. Our fire commissioners paid for the enitre room and have also paid for replacement of equipment.

    "All volunteer companies recieve 2% money but how many used it on helping their members. I will bet we spent more 2% money on dinners than on physical fitness. We have control of this money and we should have used it to do whats in our members best interests."

    Not all fire companies recieve 2% money. Many benevolent associations recieve 2% money and are bound by law to spend the money where it would benefit all benevolent members, many of whom are retired or no longer are active members. I do agree however that more needs to be emphaisized on fitness.

  9. Posted

    [i have to say thank you to all of you. Particulary to Chief Mancusi. There is not greater honor then the respect of your colleagues and Chief/Instructor Mancusi is one of the best. Hawthorne is lucky to have a fire officer of that caliber and I would follow him anywhere as well.]

    Even with my broken toe??? :blink::):):)

  10. Posted

    The original FF1 was supposed to be more than 78 hours. It was chopped due to FASNY, an organization that is supposed to represent us and look out for our safety. They were concerned that more training would prevent people from joining volunteer deparments so now we have a 78 hour version of FF1. I do believe it is a step in the right direction and you are getting a better trained firefighter but I feel the original FF1 should of remained. :lol:

  11. Posted

    When was the last time a volunteer department invited a paid department to their drill?

    To tell you the truth, I'd much rather drill with my peers. Yes, vollies are firefighters too, but until they are held to the same standards as I am, then how can we drill together???

    I usually do not get involved in the paid verses volunteer issue nor do I intend to do so now. Show me perfection anywhere. Guaranteed you will be searching forever. To answer your first question Brother FF we did invite career departments to our drills on occasion in fact Yonkers Hazmat was invited to a spill simulation we did in Hawthorne about 10 years ago along with the county haz-mat team. They came and worked with us and it went well. We have had other training invovling career firefighters as well. Never a problem. I will drill or train with anyone, especially someone who is willing to teach me something so to answer your second question as to how can we drill together the answer is simple....just do it. learn by it and also share what you know :lol:

    Andy Mancusi

    Hawthorne FD

  12. Posted

    I can say with all honestly ALS is not only a great instructor but also one who puts his heart and soul into what he does. I have learned alot from him. Even last minute technical problems I have had before my class started he was never too busy to help me.

    But I also have to say he is typical of the instructors I work with there. Great bunch of guys and I am glad to work with them.

    Andy Mancusi

  14. Posted

    Just wondering if there are any other firefighters ( both volunteer and career) who are diabetic. I am recently diagnosed type 2 and looking to perhaps start a support network for firefighters who have diabetes. I am a member of the American Diabetes Association and have access to alot of information. We can beat it !!! Contact me at Amanc2196@aol.com.

    Andy Mancusi ;)

  16. Posted

    All drivers have to take defensive driving. If you drive the engines or the truck you need EVOC, Pump ops and Aerial Ops. You need 6 months in the company or at the chiefs discretion. You have to have ample time driving and pumping along with street knowledge. Every rig has a chief driver who is responsible for testing you.

    Andy Mancusi

  17. Posted

    "well all i have to see is the rest of the last 6 parts should be extremely eye opening and it seems they have done a ton of research. lets all wait and see what is to come before the typical vollie vs career issue starts up."

    I do not feel this is a volunteer vs. career issue nor should it become one. The firefighters themselves are not under attack if anything I think the series praises them. It is an objective look into the system in Long Island and how spending is getting (or has) gotten out of hand. There is no need for bars or trips to the Bahamas. I became a volunteer in the fire service 25 years ago to help out in my community and be part of an elite group of people who are ready to serve. That's what attracted me, not the benefits or perks. I agree it is an eye opener not only for LI but for the rest of the country. Just go to any parade in Westchester, look as the rigs and ask yourself was that rig really needed???

    Andy Mancusi

    Asst. Chief

  18. Posted

    I HAVE BEEN A CAREER FIREFIGHTER FOR 24 YEARS AND HAVE WORKED A 2ND JOB MOST OF THAT TIME. POINT #1... MOST GUYS WORK JOB # 2 TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THEIR FAMILY, PAY COLLEGE BILLS ETC. YOU ARE NOT GONNA GET RICH BEING A CAREER FIREFIGHTER; TRUST ME. POINT #2.. I HAVE NEVER MADE LESS THAN THE PREVAILING WAGE IN ANY JOB I WORKED AT... IN FACT I WAS A DUES PAYING TEAMSTER AND A DUES PAYING I.A.F.F. MEMBER AT THE SAME TIME. PETER GORMAN IS NOT A CHIEF TELLING HIS MEN TO DO SOMETHING... HE IS A UNION PRESIDENT AND CAREER FIRE OFFICER. I AGREE WITH PETE.

    I understand that paid ff's are underpaid and in some cases need to work a side job. You claim you carried a teamsters card. You are probably in a minority as most career ff's do not carry union cards in thier trades that they work in. This is not the issue however. I feel what one does on his or her time off is a personal decision and should not b dictated by a union president or anyone else for that matter. Mr Gorman's concern is oneof his members getting hurt while volunteering. I believe this to be a concern. But is not roofing or doing electrical work somewhat dangerous? How about working EMS on the side? Are there not risks there as well? My point is where does it end? Stay safe all!!!

  19. Posted

    Being Hawthorne was mentioned in one of the posts I felt compelled to respond. I agree now and did when the Westchester 2000 report came out. I been involved in Mt. Pleasant for almost 25 years in both fire and ems and feel the time has come to look into merging the 4 departments ( valhalla, pville, twood, hawthorne). You could reduce the amount of chiefs cars stations, apparatus and yet pool the most valuable resource....manpower. We would be about 300 strong and perhaps more if you included ems. Perhaps a fulltime or part time chief would be necessary or some full time administrative positions would also be needed. The town could be split up into battallions each having a batt chief with each station having it's officers.

    The question is and will always be..who is going to relinquish thier authority? What stations do you close? What LOSAP program do you go with? What apparatus do you get rid of? Would this dept come under town govt or a fire district and if so how do you aboilsh the existing fire districts? Not that easy of a process but a cost savings one in the long run. Just my humboe opinion.

    Andy Mancusi

    Hawthorne FD

  20. Posted

    The idea of fitness is an excellent one. As a recently diagnosed diabetic, I now know the true bebefits of excercise. I feel it is up to each department, not the county to equip or supply gyms. I dont think the county would want to bear that type of liability especially since we operate under home rule.

    I would suggest we look to our organizations such as WCVFA or in the case of career depts thier unions to seek out consultants and trainers to assist depts in building gyms and establishing programs.

    For about 7000.00 my dept bought equipment to include a multigym, dumbells, a bike, stepper, and a treadmill. Various members donated items such as a rower, push up bars, and weight belts. We put a tv in the room as well as a music box. You can be as creative as your budget allows you to but it is best to seek advice from a trainer. Be safe.

    Andy

  22. Posted

    I am an asst chief here in Westchester so I can guess you can say I am a product of the system. I have been an advocate for reform in officer selection. It can be a popularity contest where the better or more qualified person did not get the job. I have seen it happen over my 24 years in the fire service. I think there should be a minimum standard of training and experience before someone is even considered. As officers we are charged with the responsibility of making decisions that could affect people's lives.

    The AHD, not the members should have the say who should lead. After all, who is going to held responsible if something happens? Not the 18 year old who just joined and was told who to vote for because he/she did not know and listened to the loud majority. Those responsible to the public such as the board of fire commissioners, town board, vollage board, etc. who have to answer to the public should have the final say.

    And FYI, in a fire district, a vote for the fire chief is only a recommendation. The board can vote to reject, accept or do a direct appointment if needed.

    Andy Mancusi